THE epitaph for Tranmere Rovers' promotion campaign was already being written when Gary Jones administered the kiss of life at Prenton Park.

THE epitaph for Tranmere Rovers' promotion campaign was already being written when Gary Jones administered the kiss of life at Prenton Park.

The tall midfielder's winning goal arrived with Tranmere less than 90 seconds away from a 0-0 draw that would have made their pursuit of a play-off place look like mission impossible.

Frustration amongst supporters, built up by a poor game and unpromising performance from the home side, and news that QPR were beating Luton, had reached the point at which hundreds departed early.

Those staying on for what looked inevitably like a bitter end were about to confront the curious irony that Tranmere were contriving to lose a race during an 11-game unbeaten run. That's what draws do for you under the three points for a win system.

Then deep into four minutes of injury time, substitute Mickey Mellon flighted an inch-perfect free-kick from deep on the left towards the near post. Jones, making a well practised move on the edge of the six-yard box, met the cross with a text-book glancing header that sent the ball arcing beyond the reach of Wycombe goalkeeper Frank Talia and into the far corner of the net.

The ground convulsed with relief as Jones celebrated with the Bebington Kop fans and Mellon, introduced to give Tranmere's attacks more shape and cohesion, danced joyfully in front of the dugout.

The extra two points the goal delivered made all the difference in the world to the psychology of the chase for the last play-off place in Division Two.

Instead of falling seven points behind Rangers, which would have required a swing of three results to overhaul them with only four games to go, the gap remained at five points - or two results.

It is becoming an increasingly tall order for Tranmere but still a plausible one, if only just.

Certainly, Rangers will continue to feel the pressure from behind them this week.

Jones' seventh goal of the season was a reward for persistence rather than inspiration.

Tranmere scratched around unconvincingly for most of the afternoon, trying - and all too often failing - to build coherent attacks and put crosses into the opposition penalty area from wide positions.

They were marginally more successful in threatening Wycombe down the flanks in the second half and certainly benefited from the introduction of substitutes Jason Price in attack and Mellon in midfield.

Wycombe, making a determined effort to keep the game tight after suffering three successive four-goal defeats, gave precious little away and occasionally threatened to nick a goal themselves.

Defender Roger Johnson fired a shot on the turn over the bar from eight yards following a 34th-minute corner and when striker Jonny Dixon galloped clear down the left to cut in on goal in the 61st minute, Tranmere keeper Russell Howarth had to make a vital save with his legs.

Tranmere's front pair of Simon Haworth and Iain Hume often looked isolated during the first half although they did manage to fashion a couple of dangerous raids amongst themselves. Midfielder Tyrone Loran lifted Tranmere's best first-half opportunity over the bar from point-blank range after an Iain Anderson corner was deflected into his path at the far post.

Tranmere at least established greater territorial superiority in the second half without getting anyone too excited. Mathias had asked the crowd not to transmit their anxiety to the players if things were not going well and he needn't have worried. For the first hour or so many watched in stoic silence.

There was a brief burst of excitement when Talia made a full-length dive to save Jones' powerful header from a Shane Nicholson free-kick in the 54th minute.

But the atmosphere remained muted until the home crowd found a reason to make referee Ray Olivier the villain of the piece midway through the second half.

The official turned down Tranmere's penalty appeals when Loran was bundled over in the box by Daniel Senda and later told Mathias he did not see the incident.

Mr Olivier was booed at every turn thereafter and his decision to book Jones for what he perceived as a dive in the 89th minute brought more hoots of derision.